Jeremy Conn: Orioles Buyers Or Sellers?
What should the Orioles do? I believe a lot will depend on how they play in the next 2 weeks. Either get on a winning streak or a losing streak to make the decision a lot easier. The Orioles have 4 major pieces they could trade if they were going to be sellers. All of them are free agents at the end of the season. Chen, Davis, Wieters and O'Day are all likely candidates to be moved if the Orioles decide to sell. Chen, Davis and Wieters are all likely to be given the qualifying offer at the end of the year, so even if they walk the Orioles would get back a pick at the end of the first round of next years draft.
Now, if the Orioles decide to be buyers what can they use to improve the ball club? Clearly a dominant starting pitcher, but you would have to give up a ton to get one and the Orioles just don't have the pieces right now to trade away for a Hamels or Cueto type. The Orioles would love to have an everyday corner outfielder. Can they find the right team that has a guy with an expiring contract so they don't have to give up a ton to get one?
In my opinion they are more suited to be sellers at the deadline. If they were buying at the deadline, I think any team the Orioles try to trade with are going to ask for Gausman. I'm not ready to give him up just yet.
